Poor drug demand reduction
Lack of evidence-based understanding and strategies to effectively reduce the demand for illegal drugs.
116 items
8 sources
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#6 - Coordinate urgent JCDU work to develop an evidence-based plan for reducing illegal drug demand.
Despite previous attempts to reduce the demand for illegal drugs, the JCDU and departments still do not understand how to change behaviours and prevent people from taking drugs. Reducing the demand for illegal drugs is crucial to mitigating the harms caused by their supply. Effective prevention can also represent better value for money than an enforcement-led approach, as...
Matched on
terms: demand, drug, reduction
Committee recommendation
93match
#22 - Illegal drug use remains high, underscoring the critical need for effective prevention strategies.
Around 3 million people in England and Wales take illegal drugs each year, around one in 11 adults. Despite attempts in the 2010 and 2017 drugs strategies to reduce long- term demand, this figure has remained largely unchanged since 2010–11.74 Our recent report on alcohol treatment services highlighted the importance of prevention strategies in reducing the impact of...
Matched on
terms: demand, drug, reduction
Committee recommendation
81match
#23 - Government lacks evidence base on effective prevention strategies to stop individuals taking drugs.
The JCDU and Home Office did not have an evidence base about what works in preventing individuals from taking up drug use.77 The drug strategy has a strong focus on the link between criminal activity and drug use, with initiatives such as drug testing on arrest and out of court disposals. Mr Lay also highlighted the work of...
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terms: demand, drug
NAO recommendation
73match
Reducing the harm from illegal drugs
The JCDU and departments should maximise the impact of local partnerships by developing a deeper understanding of local variations, identifying innovative practice, areas that are lagging behind others and what is needed to strengthen responses. They should also consider how to engage other parts of government to develop a ?whole system? response, considering all of the factors that...
Matched on
terms: demand, drug
Committee recommendation
69match
#20 - Establish specific drug use reduction targets for young people and other vulnerable cohorts.
In the year ending June 2022, 9.2% of 16–59-year-olds in England and Wales reported having taken drugs at least once within the past year, with 2.7% having taken Class A drugs. These proportions are higher for younger adults, with 19% of 16–24-year-olds reporting having taken drugs within the past year, and 5% reporting having taken Class A drugs.67...
Matched on
terms: drug, reduction
PFD report
65match
Darren Mindham
The report identifies that pentobarbital, a drug commonly used in suicides, is not subject to strict controls despite evidence showing that reduced access to means of suicide can decrease suicide rates.
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
64match
#30 - Concerns raised about new drug possession sanctions' impact on stigma and young people.
We welcome the Government’s ambition to reduce demand for drugs including recreational drugs. However, we have heard concerns that the three-tiered framework of escalating sanctions under the Swift, Certain, Tough: New Consequences for Drug Possession White Paper may have a negative impact in, for example, perpetuating stigma and in relation to young people.
Matched on
terms: demand, drug
PFD report
61match
Claire Richards
Illegally dealt prescription drugs are of increasing concern, and what steps are projected for stemming the leakage of prescription medication out of the lawful dispensing process into criminal hands?
Matched on
terms: drug
PFD report
61match
Benjamin Buckfield
An unchecked, open trade in illegal drugs at the festival, combined with a policy that does not eject non-dealing possessors, creates a dangerous market and increases the risk of future drug-related deaths.
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
61match
#15 - Conduct comprehensive review of initiatives reducing demand for sexual exploitation by June 2024.
The Government should conduct a comprehensive review of all legislative, policy and educational initiatives that are underway to reduce demand for sexual exploitation and report on this by June 2024. This review should compare the UK’s approach with Human trafficking 73 European countries and consider whether the Government should follow others in criminalising all acts of paying for...
Matched on
terms: demand
PFD report
57match
Jason Houghton
The unregulated online supply and international importation of Class A drugs, specifically Diacetyl Morphine/Heroin in pill form via postal systems, poses a significant risk of future deaths.
Matched on
terms: drug
PFD report
57match
Ben Jukes
The army's drug-testing regime failed to detect a serviceman's regular drug use, partly because tests were not random or unannounced, allowing evasion.
Matched on
terms: drug
PFD report
57match
David Travers
It is too easy for individuals to obtain multiple prescriptions by visiting different GP surgeries, which facilitates drug abuse and the illicit drug market.
Matched on
terms: drug
PFD report
57match
Joshua Forsdyke
Ketamine was easily and openly available to students, with drug dealing occurring freely within and between university student halls of residence.
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
56match
#30 - Government's response to drug-related retail crime lacks urgency and timely national programme rollout.
The Government has acknowledged that drugs play a significant role in a large number of crimes and with prolific offending in particular. Yet, one year on from the Government’s response to the call for evidence on violence and abuse toward shop staff, work to develop the evidence base regarding the role of drugs and alcohol in retail crime...
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
56match
#5 - Ensure JCDU and departments understand barriers for diverse drug user cohorts, enabling targeted local authority action.
The JCDU and departments have not put sufficient emphasis on the importance of addressing the specific needs of different cohorts of people who use drugs. It is unacceptable that drug-related deaths in England increased by 80% between 2011 and 2021, to nearly 3,000 people each year. Drug use is highest amongst younger people. In June 2022, 19% of...
Matched on
terms: drug, reduction
Committee recommendation
56match
#32 - Drug strategy requires further action to prevent exploitation of children by county lines.
We welcome the 10-Year Drug Strategy’s commitment to rolling up county lines but increasing law enforcement efforts is only one part of the solution. We therefore welcome the strategy’s commitment to reducing demand for drugs and to re- building the drug treatment and recovery sector. We believe that these actions will play an important role in tackling county...
Matched on
terms: demand, drug
PFD report
53match
Gemma Weeks
Public and young people lack understanding of ketamine's severe dangers, exacerbated by its Class B classification suggesting lower risk, leading to increased usage, addiction, and devastating health complications.
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
53match
#23 - Devise and publish a cross-departmental action plan and UK-wide campaign to tackle drug stigma.
We recommend that the Combating Drugs Minister leads on devising a cross- departmental action plan to tackle stigma. In devising the action plan, the Government must engage with people with lived experience of drugs and stakeholders in the drug treatment and recovery sector to understand fully how stigma can affect people and how best to tackle it. The...
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
53match
#16 - Set out how Modern Slavery Strategy will combat demand for sexual exploitation.
The Government’s Modern Slavery Strategy, which we have recommended be updated, must set out how the Government will combat the demand for sexual exploitation created by individuals who pay for sex.
Matched on
terms: demand
Committee recommendation
52match
#12 - Drug strategy requires rapid adaptation to emerging synthetic opioid threats, with ongoing government preparedness.
Mr Trace told us that changes in drug markets can happen rapidly, and that if synthetic opioids became more prevalent in the UK, the strategy would need to adapt rapidly.35 Mr Lay told us that there had been a synthetic opioid (isonitazenes) outbreak in London in 2021 and that policing was undertaking significant work on this threat.36 The...
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
51match
#71 - Further support Northern Ireland officials and communities responding to drugs during political stalemate.
In the absence of an operational Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly, the Government must further support officials and communities in Northern Ireland to respond to drugs. This must include support to develop and sustain early intervention and prevention initiatives under the Tackling Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime Programme, which seeks to draw young people away from paramilitary groups....
Matched on
terms: drug, reduction
Committee recommendation
51match
#2 - Balance criminal justice response to drugs with increased public health initiatives.
We recommend that the Government balances its criminal justice response to drugs with an increased public health response that seeks to prevent and treat drug use and tackle the root causes of drug use through, for example, a broad range of harm reduction approaches.
Matched on
terms: drug, reduction
PPO recommendation
51match
The Director of HMP Lowdham Grange
The Director should request HMPPS Substance Misuse Group carry out a support visit to review the prison’s drug strategy and identify further measures they can take to reduce supply and demand.
Matched on
terms: demand, drug
IMB recommendation
51match
Maidstone (2024)
Articulate a clear plan to reduce the prevalence of drugs within the prison estate, both from a demand and supply perspective, and provide guidance and resources for prisons to tackle this endemic problem.
Matched on
terms: demand, drug
PFD report
49match
Aaron McCaffrey
The lack of purchase limits for loperamide medication at retail stores enables bulk buying, increasing the risk of addiction and overdose.
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
48match
#10 - Progress observed in drug worker recruitment, county lines disruption, and police diversion tactics.
There have been signs of progress in some areas.24 For example, local areas have recruited an extra 1,220 drug workers, exceeding the 3-year target already.25 In terms of disrupting the supply of drugs, over 2,000 county lines have been closed (exceeding the initial three-year target) and there have been 4,800 disruptions of criminal gangs (against a target of...
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
48match
#12 - Increase monitoring of synthetic drug trafficking and prioritise heroin dependency treatment.
To mitigate this risk, we recommend the Government, in partnership with the devolved administrations, increase its monitoring of synthetic drugs being trafficked in, and around, the UK, and prioritise supporting people with a chronic heroin dependency into treatment and recovery.
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
48match
#56 - National naloxone programme absent in England despite clear evidence of lifesaving effects.
The evidence on the lifesaving effects of naloxone in counteracting opioid- related overdose is clear. We welcome the national naloxone programmes in the devolved nations but are concerned that no such programme exists in England. We also welcome the joint working between the Government and the devolved Drugs 79 administrations to expand access to naloxone. However, progress is...
Matched on
terms: drug
IMB recommendation
48match
Lewes (2024)
The Board asks for new measures to reduce the availability of illicit drugs and alcohol across the prison.
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
47match
#1 - Committee gathered evidence on alcohol treatment services from key stakeholders
On the basis of a Report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department of Health & Social Care (the Department) on alcohol treatment services.1 We also took evidence from Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health, Gateshead Council, and Board Member and Alcohol Policy Lead, Association of Directors of Public Health, Professor Dame Carol...
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
47match
#2 - Assess the next drug strategy phase to embed system-level focus, address barriers and threats.
Achieving the long-term aim of reducing drug-related harms will only be possible if departments work collaboratively and adapt their approach to the evolving threats. The government has created new national and local structures to enable a co-ordinated response to implementing the strategy and tackling the harms caused by illegal drugs. We welcome these positive steps, and the progress...
Matched on
terms: drug
PFD report
45match
Benjamin Williamson
The CMHT repeatedly discharged a patient with co-occurring mental health and alcohol issues, while Addaction failed to communicate with his GP or address consent for information sharing, creating a significant care gap.
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classifier match
PFD report
45match
Joseph Mochan
No specific concerns related to future deaths were detailed in the provided text.
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classifier match
PFD report
45match
Holly Chevassut
Certain vehicle configurations, with low-height, protruding mirrors and guards, create a risk of serious injury or death to people overtaken by these vehicles.
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
44match
#31 - Provide sustainable central funding for national rehabilitation programmes and ring-fenced funds for local services.
We welcome the new funding the Home Office will be providing for drug treatment. However, it is only for one year, when sustainable increased funding is needed for ongoing services. We recommend that the Government makes central funding available for rehabilitation programmes such as the Offender2Rehab model adopted in Birmingham. We further recommend that until national drug rehabilitation...
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
44match
#59 - Mandate all police forces to roll out voluntary naloxone provision, including funding and training.
We recommend that the Home Office requires all 43 police forces in England and Wales to roll out the voluntary provision of naloxone by operational officers. Volunteer officers must be provided with adequate training in the carrying and administration of naloxone before they can carry it on duty. The Home Office must provide additional funding to all 43...
Matched on
terms: reduction
IMB recommendation
44match
Bedford (2024)
We are concerned that group and individual drug rehabilitation work is no longer carried out.
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
44match
#31 - Explain identification of drug-dependent individuals, youth impact, and costs for new sanctions policy.
Though we await the outcome of the consultation on this White Paper, we ask that the Home Office further explain: (Paragraph 113) a) How people with a drug dependency—to whom this policy will not apply—will be identified and directed into treatment. b) The extent to which the policy is likely to affect young people aged 16–24 years old—among...
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
44match
#17 - Consider including strategy for reducing demand for sexual exploitation in Commissioner's Strategic Plan.
The new Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner should actively consider including a strategy for reducing demand for sexual exploitation in the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Strategic Plan.
Matched on
terms: demand
Committee recommendation
43match
#55 - Increase provision of essential equipment and additional services for needle and syringe programmes.
The Combating Drugs Minister must work with the Department of Health and Social Care, the devolved administrations, and health partners to ensure that the provision of equipment—particularly low dead space syringes and safe water—is increased to reduce the transmission of blood-borne viruses and other illnesses. The Combating Drugs Minister must work to ensure that needle and syringe programme...
Matched on
terms: drug
IMB recommendation
43match
Rochester (2021)
The Board still retains the view that in order to enable a better outcome for prisoners and reduce re-offending, increased funding for resources should be allocated across the entire prison estate for tackling drug-use by prisoners. This includes improvements in security technology and intervention programmes.
Matched on
terms: drug
IMB recommendation
43match
Dartmoor (2023)
What measures will be put in place to ensure that all incidents of prisoners being found under the influence of either drugs or alcohol are recorded effectively and the relevant departments are informed as soon as an incident is discovered?
Matched on
terms: drug
IMB recommendation
43match
Portland (2025)
The Minister should plan to support the Prison Service to reduce the prevalence of drugs and other illicit substances across the estate.
Matched on
terms: drug
IMB recommendation
43match
Erlestoke (2025)
What further actions are being considered to reduce the ingress of illicit substances? While the Board recognises enhanced security measures which have been put in place, drugs remain readily available throughout the prison.
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
43match
#22 - 10-Year Drugs Strategy lacks detail on effectively tackling drug-related stigma.
The strategy states a commitment to breaking down stigma but provides little detail on how this commitment would be actioned. Stigma is a key issue for people with lived experience of using drugs and for their loved ones. Tackling stigma in all its forms must be a priority in the Government’s entire response to drugs.
Matched on
terms: drug
Committee recommendation
40match
#11 - Cross-Government Reducing Reoffending Board lacks clear departmental roles and governance for substance misuse.
Substance misuse is the only area where the Cross-Government Reducing Reoffending Board—made up of senior representatives from 12 central government bodies, and with a remit to identify opportunities to reduce reoffending—has not set out the main departments which have a role. The Board has also not set out a detailed governance structure or performance reporting arrangements across departments’...
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classifier match
Committee recommendation
39match
#11 - Alarm over synthetic opioid harms and potential shift from heroin dependency.
We are alarmed by the health and social harms of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. We are concerned that a reduction in the global supply of heroin will have the effect of people with an opioid dependency turning to even more potent and harmful synthetic opioids, which have contributed to the ongoing opioid crisis in North America.
Matched on
terms: reduction
PPO recommendation
39match
The Governor
The Governor should continue to identify and address weaknesses in measures to prevent supply of drugs into Lewes and revise the substance misuse strategy in light of the findings.
Matched on
terms: drug
IMB recommendation
39match
Portland (2020)
The ingress of illicit drugs into Portland needs to be addressed. It is having an impact on the health and well-being of prisoners and staff, and is linked to debt, bullying, violence, isolation and overall stability in the prison.
Matched on
terms: drug